Early Cultivation of Vegetables brings Higher Profit

Tanzila Rahman,UAO, Ramu. Coxs Bazar

Tanzila Rahman and Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Vegetables play a critical role in the world's food supply and economic sector by providing essential nutrition, generating substantial income for producers, and strengthening food security on a global scale. Their impact is evident both as a direct source of healthy food and as a potent driver of agricultural economies worldwide. Asia, particularly China, leads the world in vegetable production, accounting for more than half the global output. Vegetable cultivation is often more profitable than cereal or legume crops due to higher market value and cropping intensity, helping smallholders improve their livelihoods and resilience. Cultivation of vegetables before the season can bring farmers higher profit.

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Bangladesh has a favorable climate for growing a wide variety of vegetables. 

Among them, winter vegetables are especially popular because of their high demand, taste, and nutritional value. Every year, farmers across the country cultivate vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, beans, radish, carrot, and spinach during the cool winter season However timing plays a crucial role in vegetable farming. Farmers who start cultivation a little earlier than the usual season often enjoy more benefits compared to those who wait for the peak time.

Higher Profit in Early Cultivation

Early cultivation of winter vegetables has become a smart choice for farmers in many parts of Bangladesh. Vegetables harvested before the peak season reach the market when supply is low but demand is high, ensuring a higher price.

Consumers are always eager to buy the first fresh vegetables of winter, which sell quickly and bring farmers an early flow of income.

Another advantage is that early crops often face fewer pest and disease attacks, since cool and humid conditions later in the season favor infestations. This reduces the need for pesticides, cuts down production costs, and results in fresher and higher-quality produce. Farmers who cultivate early can also free up their land sooner, allowing them to grow additional crops within the same season.

In contrast, farmers who wait for the usual winter season often face several challenges. With large quantities of vegetables entering the market at once, prices fall sharply, reducing profitability. Dense fog and cold waves damage crops, while pests and diseases become more aggressive, increasing input costs.

Delayed harvest also slows down income and limits opportunities for multiple cropping.

Wide Variety of Winter Vegetables - Bangladesh is highly suitable for a wide range of winter vegetables. Farmers can choose from leafy greens such as spinach, red amaranth, mustard greens, and coriander leaves; brassica crops like cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli; root crops including radish, carrot, beetroot, and potato; and fruity vegetables such as tomato, brinjal, cucumber, beans, and capsicum. Onions, garlic, and chili are also important winter-season crops.

Conclusion - With proper planning, seed selection, and crop management, early cultivation can be highly rewarding. Farmers who bring vegetables to the market ahead of others enjoy higher profits, reduced risks, and greater opportunities for multiple cropping. By taking advantage of Bangladesh’s favorable winter climate, early vegetable cultivation can play a key role in strengthening farm incomes and

ensuring nutritious food for all.

(Tanzila Rahman is Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO), Ramu, Cox’s Bazar and Prof. M Zahidul Haque an Adjunct Faculty of Agricultural Journalism Program at Sher-e-Bangla Agriculturla University, Dhaka)